The Capitals traded Halak to the New York Islanders Thursday for a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft in a deal that makes sense for both teams.

Washington likely wasn’t going to dish out the term or salary (potentially upwards of $4 million annually) that Halak could be seeking as a free agent and they add another draft pick to the mix, bringing them to nine for 2014. The Islanders, who have been in search of a goaltender of the future for a while now, get the exclusive negotiating rights to a netminder who wants to be a true number one.

The decision to trade away a pending free agent has been a frequent move for the Capitals in recent years. In 2012, they sent Dennis Wideman and Tomas Vokoun to Calgary and Pittsburgh respectively when it became clear that neither player was going to have a long-term future in Washington. Halak’s agent Allan Walsh said he and his client hadn’t discussed the possibility of returning to Washington given the uncertainty following the dismissal of both George McPhee and Adam Oates.

It’s worth noting that McPhee, while under contract with the Capitals until July 1, is no longer serving as general manager. Brian MacLellan, who is in his seventh season as the team’s assistant general manager, completed the trade and is handling those duties for now.

Halak, 28, posted a 5-4-3 record, .930 save percentage and 2.31 goals-against average in 12 games with the Capitals this season after they acquired him from the Sabres on March 5 in a deal that sent home-grown goaltender Michal Neuvirth and Rostislav Klesla to Buffalo.

Even after parting with Halak, it’s still unclear what the Capitals’ depth chart in goal will look like next season. Washington has Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer in the mix, but there’s no way to predict if a new general manager and coach will be comfortable with that youthful tandem. Bringing in a veteran, likely at a lower salary cap hit than what Halak will receive this offseason, to work alongside Holtby, 24, would allow Grubauer, 22, to continue to develop in the American Hockey League.

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